Fisher checked the no box on his ballot that his fellow Cape residents received last week.

"17 years later and they want to cost us all kinds of money," Fisher added.

Burying the lines will cost up to $7,600 per lot, plus connection costs neighbors said can cost hundreds. It's a price neighbors believe is too high for the project, and what they said is the true reason it's been proposed.

"A lot of the people at the town hall thought the city was doing it to make the Seven Islands development," John Smart said. "[To] make it a better sell for developers."

Smart also said the timing, alongside the water and sewer expansion, isn't helping the cause.

"So you're looking at probably $8,000-$10,000 for underground utilities on top of the $18,000-$19,000 for sewer and water," said Smart. "That's a lot of money."

In a letter sent with the ballot earlier this month, the city said the idea came about from public interest asking staff to look into an underground project. Residents have until January 31st to cast their vote. There needs to be a vote of 50 percent plus one for this to move forward to city council for a final decision.

Get More: Pros and cons

The city said putting lines underground will make them less vulnerable to storms and will also get the area a neater look.

Underground lines, however, cost five to 10 times as much as overhead lines, don't last as long and cost more to replace.